PhD The Early Process, Application and Interview advice

It’s part of the process, you could always reach out to knew ones although presumably they are just sending the same letter out to new institutions so now it is written it isn’t too much effort.

Yes, but would they think that possibly I’m a weak prospective applicant and they wouldn’t want to write a recommendation letter? It’s quite difficult to encourage then to write a recommendation letter on my behalf. And I don’t have any other referees anymore 😕

Hey, I received yet another rejection letter for a PhD program. I’m quite sad and feel really uneasy as my referees sent out recommendation letters on my behalf. Yet, I again failed to secure a place at a university. I don’t know even how I should notify them about my unsuccesful application and whether I should. Don’t know what I should do next. I just lost count of my unsuccessful applications.

Hello, just curious: is your tuition waived or did the CDT cover the overseas fees? I heard that research councils typically only cover the home rate.

Hey

So I did get an unconditional offer letter along with a letter of funding. The stipend I'm receiving is that given to any home student however the university and the CDT will take care of any fees applicable and they have told me I have nothing to worry about on that front.
I have successfully moved from worrying about securing funding to worrying about getting an ATAS certificate. Got to love the grind haha

As for me, I have 3 offers to study for a master's, but all of them require me to fund my education, which I simply wouldn’t be able to do. I applied to American universities as a foreign student. So basically, my education would cost me more than 50K USD, which I can’t afford. Initially, I thought that their universities provided full funding at the master's level, but they offered me a small amount of scholarship, which covers only about 10% of full tuition costs.



So, I’m writing here out of frustration, as I wouldn’t be able to start my education this Autumn. And I don’t know what to do.

As for me, I have 3 offers to study for a master's, but all of them require me to fund my education, which I simply wouldn’t be able to do. I applied to American universities as a foreign student. So basically, my education would cost me more than 50K USD, which I can’t afford. Initially, I thought that their universities provided full funding at the master's level, but they offered me a small amount of scholarship, which covers only about 10% of full tuition costs.



So, I’m writing here out of frustration, as I wouldn’t be able to start my education this Autumn. And I don’t know what to do.

I'm sorry things turned out that way. Have you thought about applying to Germany for a Master's?

On top of that, in my opinion, it’s no good to take out an educational loan. I mostly relied on university funding, but at the master's level, especially in America, it’s basically non-existent.

I also applied for a PhD in America, but my application was rejected. I’m not sure whether it would be wise to apply again this time around for the 2024 academic year.

What have you been doing over the years while getting these rejections? Has your application not gotten stronger and stronger with each passing year?

Is it common for universities to have open days/visits for PhD applications or is that something you should organise with the department instead? Sorry, new to looking at PhD opportunities!

It’s quite hard to do this for PhDs although lots of universities & faculties will have stands and stalls about research at open days or careers fairs. If you want to discuss PhD opportunities you can search unis webs for either research groups or supervisors and see if they are seeking new students or have advertised studentships, if they are & you are interested, reach out to the academic (with your cv attached) & ask for a call/chat about potential research opportunities. If an initial chat goes well you can likely ask or be invited to visit the lab/research group.

Lots of PhD are also advertised on linkedin.

Is it common for universities to have open days/visits for PhD applications or is that something you should organise with the department instead? Sorry, new to looking at PhD opportunities!